Watson set for return

Tom Watson, two-time event champion Hale Irwin, 2009 runner-up Mark O’Meara and defending champion Eduardo Romero are among the latest to commit to playing in the 2010 Toshiba Classic, a Champions Tour golf event scheduled March 1 through 7 at Newport Beach Country Club.

Additional standouts who have agreed to compete include World Golf Hall of Fame members Isao Aoki, Tom Kite, Larry Nelson, Nick Price and Lanny Watkins.

Watson, who finished second at the 2009 British Open at age 59, has started 2010 in strong fashion, winning the Wendy’s Champions Skins Game and besting Fred Couples in a final-round duel at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai to earn his 13th Champions Tour title, his first since turning 60 in September.

Watson, inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988, has competed in the Toshiba Classic four times previously. His best finish was 10th in 2002.

Watson has 39 PGA Tour titles, including the Masters in 1977 and 1981, the U.S. Open in 1982 and the British Open in 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982 and 1983.

He was Champions Tour Player of the Year in 2003.

“It is a tremendous benefit to have Tom Watson return to the Toshiba Classic, the tournament’s executive director, Jeff Purser said in a statement. “Tom’s British Open performance proves that the Champions Tour is full of players who can compete and play at the sport’s highest level.”

Irwin, also a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, claimed the Toshiba Classic title in 2002 and 1998.

Romero, from Argentina, shot three-under-par 68 on the final day last year to overtake O’Meara and Bernhard Langer, who shared the lead entering the final round. Romero’s 17 birdies in 54 holes helped him claim the $255,000 winner’s check, which will once again be up for grabs at the 16th edition of the Toshiba Classic.

O’Meara, who grew up in Mission Viejo and is a former Costa Mesa City Championship winner, tied for second last year with Joey Sindelar.

The Toshiba Classic field, which includes Corona del Mar resident John Cook (runner-up in the 2009 Charles Schwab Cup standings), was joined previously by Couples, Corey Pavin and Paul Azinger.

Daily tickets for the Toshiba Classic are $20 if purchased in advance and $25 at the gate.

Clubhouse badges, for admission to the grounds and clubhouse for practice rounds, and the tournament, are $100. For tickets, call (949) 660-1001 or visit ToshibaClassic.com.